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The Ultimate Guide to medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) Oil
Updated: Jul 31, 2022
You might have seen people adding MCT oil to their coffees. But what is MCT oil?
MCT oil is a quality fat that comes from coconuts. It is an essential ingredient for people who are on ketogenic diets to help them sustained their energy. Here’s how it works…
What is MCT oil?
MCT oil is a high quality fat that comes from coconuts. It’s a versatile supplement and an essential product for people on a ketogenic diet to maintain and sustain their energy.
Your body turns MCTs into molecules called ketones. Studies have shown that ketones are a source of energy that help burn fat, curb cravings and power the brain (Courchesne-Loyer et al., 2013; Kinsella et al., 2017; Ota et al., 2016; St-Onge et al., 2003)
If you’re following a ketogenic diet, supplementing your diet with MCT oil helps you get more quality fat in your diet and boost ketone production. With more ketones in your body, you’ll feel fuller for longer and it will improve cognitive performance.
Your body breaks down MCTs faster than the long-chain triglycerides found in other fatty foods. Your liver converts MCTs into ketones- the fuel source your body produces when it burns fat for fuel.
MCT oil health benefits
Sustained Energy
High-quality MCT oil turns into ketones within minutes, providing your brain with a boost in energy and mental clarity without the blood sugar crash (Cunnane et al., 2016).
When there is little amount carbs in your body, MCT oil can be converted into ketones, which unlike glucose, can cross the blood-brain barrier and be used as a fuel source for brain cells.
Weight Management
MCT oil is fat-burning fuel (St-Onge et al., 2003). Your body does this by turning MCTs into ketones, alternative forms of energy, which increase your metabolic rate (aka your metabolism) and burn body fat (Courchesne-Loyer et al., 2013; Dulloo et al., 1996).
Although MCT oil and keto are a perfect match, you don’t have to follow the keto diet to benefit from MCT oil’s effects. People on a normal diet may still lose weight from MCT oil from the positive effects it has on hunger hormones, the boost in metabolism and the reduction in inflammation, although the weight loss won’t be as dramatic as someone following a ketogenic diet.
Fewer Cravings
Healthy fats are satiating. MCT oil helps you feel fuller, longer without having to think about a mid-morning snack. MCTs raise ketones. Ketones suppress ghrelin (aka your hunger hormone) and increase cholecystokinin (CCK), which makes you feel full (Gibson et al., 2015).
This is part of the reason why Keto Coffee works so well. It can produce four times more ketones than coconut oil alone (Vandenberghe et al., 2017). When you drink a cup of Keto Coffee, you feel full and focused for hours.
Gut Support
If your gut lining isn’t as protective as it should be, toxins, bacteria and food particles can pass through your gut, entering your bloodstream and putting you at risk for serious illness. Studies shows that MCTs in animal digestive tract help the gut be more selective, blocking unhealthy toxins and bacteria from entering the bloodstream (Rial et al., 2016).
Workout Boost
Studies show that MCT oil can help you exercise longer and may improve your stamina (Nosaka et al., 2009).
Recreational athletes who ate foods containing MCTs for two weeks could do longer sessions of high-intensity exercises.
People who supplemented with dietary MCT oil lasted longer and had less blood lactate build-up during high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
What is MCT oil made of?
Caproic acid (C6)
There is a small amount of C6 in coconut oil. Our MCT oil contains approximately 0.3% of C6.
Caprylic acid (C8)
C8 is the best MCT for ketogenic energy.
It only takes three steps for your body to turn it into energy for your cells (Bergsson et al., 1999). Plus, C8 produces four times more ketones than coconut oil, which means more ketone benefits like amplified energy and metabolic burn (Vandenberghe et al., 2017).
Our MCT oil contains approximately 57% of C8.
Capric acid (C10)
This is the second shortest form of MCT. It takes more time to turn into ketone energy, but it’s more affordable than C8.
Our MCT oil contains approximately 42% of C10.
To make our Keto Coffee affordable, we have used a blend of C8 and C10.
Lauric acid (C12)
C12 is what you’ll mostly find in coconut oil, but your body doesn’t treat it like an MCT. Rather than getting converted into energy immediately, lauric acid requires a pit stop in the liver. This is why it is more accurately described as a long-chain triglyceride (LCT), not an MCT.
Our MCT oil contains approximately 0.2% of C12.
MCT oil vs. MCT powder
MCT oil is in it's purest form. It doesn’t require a carrier oil or extra additives. The oil is sourced completely from coconuts and it isn’t mixed with any unnecessary chemicals.
MCT powder is produced via a process called spray drying, in which MCT oil is sprayed onto a carrier material, which forms a powder.
Our Keto Coffees are made with 100% Organic MCT oil.
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Products sold on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for direct, individual medical treatment or advice. It is the responsibility of you and your healthcare providers to make all decisions regarding your health. Bullet Bean Blend recommends that you consult with your healthcare providers regarding the diagnosis and treatment of any disease or condition.
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